Devotional Email for Jul
8
Romans 3:23 New International Version (NIV)
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
A lot of Christians live like they are just old sinners saved by grace, but that is a lie from the pit of hell. You are either a sinner or you are saved by grace. You can't be both. Once you are saved, you are no longer an old sinner.
A lot of people are kept in bondage by this verse. They should stop and read this verse in context:
Romans 3:21-26 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;
26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Notice that these verses are about the righteousness of God. In verse 22 we see that the "the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe". Do you believe? If so then you have been made the "righteousness of God". You can not be an old sinner and righteous at the same time.
Verse 24 talks about how we were justified by a gift. Now, don't go getting a big head. You did not become righteous because of something you did. You became righteous because of what Jesus did. When you asked Jesus into your heart, the blood of Jesus cleansed you of all sin.
"Propitiation" in verse 25 has to do with God being satisfied. God is not mad at you. God knows that you have sinned and messed up, but God is not mad at you. The blood of Jesus has completely and totally satisfied God in every way. God's wrath is completely satisfied when it comes to Christians. They are cleansed by the blood.
Speak the Word:Father, I have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus. I have been forgiven of every sin I have ever committed. Thank you for cleansing me.
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